The Best Upholstery for Dogs

Dogs. They leave pawprints on your heart, and sometimes on your sofa. But for all the mess they can make, some of us still allow our animals on the furniture. Let me put it this way. If you haven’t spooned with a golden retriever, you’re missing out on an important life experience. What you’re not missing is the shedding (and sometimes dirt) that comes with the package. For those who are looking to spend more time cuddling but less time cleaning, here are some pet-friendly upholstery tips to consider.

What is the Best Upholstery for Dogs?

The best upholstery for dogs are going to be those with fabrics resistant to scratching, dirt and stains. You’ll also want something that isn’t a fur magnet. When buying furniture or reupholstering, there’s a range of fabrics to consider, but here are three that score particularly well with pets.

Leather

Leather is one of the most durable coverings you can choose. It lasts long, and actually gets comfier as it ages. It obviously lacks the fibers found in cloth coverings, which makes it particularly resistant to pet hair. Cleaning up fur babies is as simple as running a vacuum over the surface. Occasionally you might use a commercial cleaner to keep it shiny. Leather doesn’t hold onto pet dander, making it a hypoallergenic choice as well. It’s not scratch resistant, but this is expected. Scratching on leather can actually be a bonus because for some it enhances the overall aesthetic of a piece of furniture.

• Stain resistance: entirely depends on the color and quality of leather; opt for darker and higher quality.
• Scratch resistance: 3/5
• Cleanability: 5/5

Leather’s one major drawback is its price tag. Waxed leather is particularly expensive, but it’s also the best upholstery for dogs and other animals. It’s entirely spill resistant. If it gets scratched, you simply heat the surface and rub it out. Good as new!

• Stain resistant: 5/5
• Scratch resistant: 5/5
• Cleanability 5/5

Microfiber

This semi-stain-resistant synthetic material has fibers finer than silk, so the weave is extremely tight. Not only does this make the fabric allergy friendly, but it also means spills will bead on the surface. It’s not exactly stain resistant but the tightly knit fibers give you more time to wipe up a spill before it sinks in and potentially sets. Claws and scratching aren’t a problem with microfiber because of its loopless pile. Not a bad choice for a home of pets and pet lovers. The cleanup is also fairly easy. A vacuum with a soft brush attachment or a lint roller will do the trick.

• Stain resistance: 4/5
• Scratch resistance: 5/5
• Cleanability: 5/5

Velvet

Surprised? It may look delicate and luxurious, but velvet is surprisingly resilient. A tight weave and short pile means it’s relatively easy to clean and very resistant to clawing. It’s more susceptible to staining, but there’s a fix: protective coating. Polyester velvet is particularly good for pets, and while it used to be kind of shiny and tacky looking in the past, modern iterations have a sleek and timeless quality to them.

• Stain resistance: 4/5 (with protective coating)
• Scratch resistance: 5/5
• Cleanability: 3/5

Say No to Nub

The best upholstery for dogs and other pets is going to be darkly colored and minimally textured. Repeat after me: no to nub. Fabrics with nubby pile, like tweed or chenille, should be avoided. Any fabric with a lot of texture is snag central for your pet. Their claws will accidentally get caught in the loop…or intentionally, if you have a certain kind of cat. When the loops are snagged and pulled, they can’t be restored. Heavily textured fabrics are also an absolute nighthair. Getting wisps of fur out of tweed is like trying to separate neodymium magnets.

Summation: it’s always best to opt for a tight weave.

If you’re looking to minimize cleaning and maintenance, opt for slip covers. Simply remove the covers when soiled and toss them in the wash. You now have a fresh cotton canvas for your pets to decorate. For the particularly carefree homeowner, indoor-outdoor fabrics are another option. They’re cozy, durable and can be hosed down if need be.

Removable Cushions

Especially with cloth upholstery, removable cushions are an excellent option for extending the life span of your furniture. Especially if your pet (or you, or you and your pet) like to cozy up in the same spot,  be sure to regularly rotate cushions. Continual pressure in the same spot can permanently distort the body of or leave uneven wear on your upholstery cushions. So flip ‘em!

Armor Up

Go the extra mile when you armor up with a protective coating. There are DIY and professional options. If you’re shopping for new upholstery, your vendor may offer to do this for you. You’ll have to have it reapplied every few years. Make sure this happens after Zerorez has cleaned your upholstery, otherwise dirt and particles might get sealed. And never, ever allow stains to set. Check out our guide on spot cleaning to appropriately treat accidents.

If Dog is Man’s Best Friend…

Then Zerorez is your furniture’s. Even with the best upholstery for dogs, maintenance is still important! With our Powered Water, you won’t have to worry about overwetting. Chemical free and allergy friendly, our patented methods are safe for all fabrics and families. And, zero residue means upholstery will stay cleaner longer because it won’t attract more soiling. Check us out at zerorezsocal.com or give us a ring at (949) 387-2222 to learn more!

Learn How to Clean Auto Upholstery here!